The Best of Times and Worst of Times . . . in South Asian America

Abstract

This article focuses on three of the most damaging components of the counterterrorism preventive paradigm and the significant risks that are posed to the civil rights and civil liberties of the communities most targeted by such policies. First, countering terrorism risks infringement upon activities protected by the First Amendment. Second, the fight to combat terrorism has criminalized what is otherwise legitimate charitable giving, peace building, and human-rights advocacy. Third, the debate about “homegrown terrorism” has led to discriminatory and arbitrary enforcement of counterterrorism laws against Muslims, while acts of terror by non-Muslims go unnoticed and unpunished.